Graduation is particularly complex and difficult this year and next year with a combination of Ramadan, exams, no results available and timing. We have discussed it with senior management and the school Parent School Association and we appreciate their input.

JUNE GRADUATION.

• The examination schedule for both the British and American students is particularly congested.
• To do an early graduation avoiding both the exam season for both sections and Ramadan would mean Graduation would be at the end of April, when students are on holiday, gearing up for their finals and no final results can be rewarded in time except fairly meaningless previous achievements. Students could have a celebration afterwards but a graduation in April when nothing is finished or finalized doesn’t make sense, nor can it be organized in the time.
• Once exam season begins the latest time we could run a ceremony to avoid most exams is Saturday 18^th June with only a few exams the following week, however, not perfect. We cannot run it in the morning as was suggested as no one seems to support this idea and the MUST Opera House is not open. It would have to be at 9pm+ at night or later after Iftah. We would not have any results for prizes and rewards as nothing is finished. Getting to and from 6^th October would be difficult for everyone.
• We cannot do the Graduation later in July because school has closed in June and teachers and parents/students will have left.

All in all these are serious issues that we cannot control. The only positive point seems to be that the American section will graduate in June which is normal for American schools albeit without recognized results, but in Ramadan at an unsociable hour and, of course, no parties.

Our decision is to run the Graduation away from all these very difficult issues and do it, as we have before, retrospectively in December, so students can have:

• An exciting reunion.
• A ceremony early evening as normal with no exams.
• A full celebration of results and achievements.
• The chance to celebrate afterwards.

This will also apply to 2018 when the end of June is also in Ramadan. Thereafter we will review. The date booked is Wednesday December 21^st. Most universities abroad have closed by 16^th December allowing plenty of time to for our students to return.

All best wishes.

School Directors